David Dalziel and his family took a trip to Oban, where they found a home from home with friends old and new
I simply adore a hotel with a good view, and I was truly spoiled on a recent visit to the Lochnell Arms Hotel in Connel, just outside Oban.
On its website, the hotel describes itself as a “traditional, family-run hotel set in a spectacular lochside location, offering a warm and friendly welcome all year round”. Having spent a couple of nights there enjoying the hospitality of owners Susan and Ruud, I can confirm every word of that statement is true.
In fact, if you were to Google “warm and friendly”, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a picture of Susan and Ruud as the definition of the term.
Despite never having met them before, I felt as if we were visiting old friends, such was the warmth of the welcome the couple afforded us. And this continued for the duration of our stay, especially with their son, young Lucas, becoming firm friends with my lad, Charlie. The two boys played games throughout the hotel and Charlie certainly had no hesitation in making himself feel at home.
But let me return to that view, and what a view it was.
After we had deposited our bags in the spacious and comfortable family room we’d all be sharing, it was time to explore the area. I had seen the beautifully still waters of Loch Etive from the room, so we headed the short distance from the hotel to the waterside, where we could admire the loch and the Connel Bridge in all their splendour.
Having arrived mid-afternoon on a glorious autumnal day, we were treated to a wonderful display of colour as day slowly turned to night and we skimmed stones together in the shadow of the famous old cantilever bridge.
But all that fresh air and stone skimming had worked up an appetite, so we headed back to the hotel for a feed.
Oban is well known for its seafood, and I am growing ever fonder of the fresh produce this country serves so well. I was not to be disappointed by the fare on offer at Lochnell.
For starters, it simply had to be the seafood chowder, as I love a hearty bowl of all things fishy. Although I must admit to being torn between the chowder and the pan-seared scallops with black pudding, mango puree and lettuce. An eye-catching addition to any menu.
The chowder was fantastic. Rich, creamy, full of creatures from the depths, but not so filling that it ruined me for my main course.
My wife enjoyed the sauteed garlic mushrooms and crostinis before we took to the specials board for our mains.
For me, it had to be more fresh, local produce, this time in the form of pan-seared fillet of seabass with a horseradish mash, tempura samphire and a lemon caper butter.
Seabass is a beautiful piece of fish, but has to be cooked just right with a bit of a crunch to the skin to get the thumbs up from me. And this dish did not disappoint. The lemon caper butter was a lovely accompaniment, too.
Friends who we were dining with us could not stop raving about the slow-cooked pork belly with black pudding, crispy kale and an apple and thyme gravy. In fact, they were still talking about it when we left Oban two days later.
If fish is not your thing, fear not, as the menu offers up plenty of other options, including steak and ale pie, haggis, neeps and tatties, macaroni, burgers and chicken Balmoral. Every taste is catered for.
After a long day and a big feed, it was time to head for bed. Our large family room was great for the four of us – mum and dad had a large double bed, Charlie was in a single bed at the far side of the room, and little Beth slept soundly in a travel cot next to us.
Following a hearty full Scottish breakfast the next morning, we decided to head to the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary, just a few miles along the road
from the hotel. It’s a fantastic centre with loads for the kids to do and see. They were over the moon with the medals they won for completing
the Champions Challenge, a clever scratchcard treasure hunt that encourages youngsters to learn as they have fun.
And we all loved watching the seals performing and being fed, before venturing to the interactive touchpool where Charlie and his friends Mac and Mabel plucked up the courage to touch and hold creatures including starfish and crabs.
You could easily spend a day at the sanctuary, taking in the Nutkins Natural Trail, forest adventure play area, shark feeding and more, but we headed into Oban to explore a bit more.
Taking to the open waters on a sightseeing boat is a thrill, and we had hoped to find a tour leaving Oban, but didn’t quite manage. But there are a number of companies offering a range of tours to suit all ages and desires. Hopefully, on our next visit, we will hit the high seas.
Instead, we made our way up to McCaig’s Tower, the impressive granite structure that sits atop Battery Hill, where once again we were treated to some spectacular views over Oban harbour and out towards Kerrera and Mull in the distance.
A trip to Oban wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the harbour, where a little kiosk served us up some delicious mussels and
prawns, fresh from the sea that very morning. The kids were all transfixed by the fishermen landing their catches of live prawns, which we could hear scuttling around in their boxes.
So, after another fine feed at the hotel, and a good night’s sleep, it was time to bid farewell to our new friends at the Lochnell.
If you are looking for a warm welcome, fantastic food and views you can soak in all day long, you really have found the perfect place.
With Charlie asking: “When are we going back to see Mac and Mabel, and can we stay in our hotel again?” I think it’s fair to say we’ll be seeing friends, old and new, at some point in the not too distant future.
TRAVEL FACTS
Lochnell Arms Hotel, North Connel, By Oban PA37 1RP
Telephone: 01631 710408
E-mail: enquiries@lochnellarms.co.uk
www.lochnellarms.co.uk